Path Of The Black Cat: Caletti Cycles Domestique

The Santa Cruz workshop of Caletti Cycles has just announced their Domestique project: a stock adventure road model called the Domestique. This is the first viewing, a matte black panther of a handmade frame at a very reasonable price and spec.

It’s described as a Hard-Working All-Road Bicycle, just like it’s namesake, and it’s a good-valued opportunity to own a handmade frame by one of California’s most well-reputed builders. There’s a real sense of spirit to John Caletti’s work.

All personalities aside, the Domestique is one hell of an awesome machine. Designed around disc brakes and wide tire clearances, it’s built for every trail and fire road in your vicinity. It’s not just a black beauty, but also available in five colorways.

John has developed the geometry into eight standard sizes, ranging from 51.5cm to 59.5cm, with appropriate other angles. All sizes rely upon the ENVE GRD fork, which comes as standard. The rest of the parts make for a much more attractive option than what you’ll find on any shop floor.

Let’s see what your dream build would be: Take a Columbus Life Niobium doped steel frame, made by John’s two hands, in your choice of Midnight, Grey Haze, Caletti Blue, Dune, or Belgium colorways, and add a Chris King headset in your choice of color.

Add an Ultegra 8000 group with hydraulic disc brakes and a No Tubes Grail Team wheelset with Hutchinson tubeless tires, an Easton EA70 aluminum bar, stem, and seatpost, and have it professionally assembled with your choice of stem length, bar width, gearing, and tires.

US$4980 is the base price for the above build, but there’s also a range of upgrades available, such as the ‘Super Domestique’ Titanium frame, the carbon wheelset upgrade of Jones Precision carbon rims with Chris King hubs or Chris King and HED Belgium Plus wheels, an ENVE Cockpit and SRAM Force 22 or Force 1 groupsets.

I don’t know about you, but the Dune colorway with dark grey logos and matte clear with that Ultegra group would look right at home on some of my local B-roads. Head to the Caletti website for more information.